E2 | Your Presence Is Your Purpose with Debb Latwat
This week we had the opportunity to speak to Debb, who feels a little lost. She longs for purpose and meaning, mostly in her work, but no matter what she does, something is still missing.
She wonders why she's here, what she's meant to do, and why nothing seems to light her up the way it used to.
Feeling trapped in a routine she doesn't love and wrestling with her own overwhelming expectations of what she should be doing with her life, she overlooks the treasure nestled deep within her - the gift of her presence.
Many of us struggle to see the value in the gifts that come so naturally to us. They are the things we do effortlessly and with grace, winning the respect and admiration of others, often without ever knowing it. We assume what comes so naturally to us comes just as easily to others.
Who you are and the way you show up impacts people, but first, it impacts you. What stories are you telling yourself about who you are? Are those stories true?
In this episode, I have a unique perspective because Debb is a friend of mine. I know that everywhere she goes, she shines bright. She seems unaware of this when I first mention it but then begins to see that she's overcomplicating things.
She doesn't need to change the world with some life-altering invention or as a famous photographer for National Geographic. She's already making waves, changing lives, and leaving her mark, just by being Debb.
Debb's story is your story, and your impact is just as magnificent as hers. As you listen, I hope you're able to see yourself through the eyes of the people you touch every day. You have immense power to change your life and impact others - simply with your presence.
⏭️ Listen to E15 | Your Presence Is Your Purpose with Debb Latwat: The Follow-up
The episode at a glance...
[1:10] Debb talks about her struggle to find purpose after the pandemic forced her out of a job she had held for decades, a job that had become part of her identity. She finds herself wondering, "What am I meant to do? What lasting legacy can I leave for the world?"
[3:45] Ron explores what things Debb does right now that she finds fulfilling and meaningful. She talks about the frustration of not having enough time to do all the things that bring her joy and the discovery that, even with more time, something is still missing.
[5:00] Ron asks Debb about her dreams as a child. What did she want to do with her life?
[7:00] Debb talks about missing the adventurous person she used to be.
[8:20] Ron suggests experimenting by trying something she would consider adventurous to find out if it's as enjoyable as it used to be.
[9:30] Debb talks about feeling stuck in everyday routines, which makes her feel unhappy, unmotivated, and depressed.
[10:28] Ron suggests trying different things to find out what ignites her. What are her passions?
[11:50] Ron talks about the difference between listening to your head and listening to your heart. Dreaming without limits to reconnect with your purpose.
[13:50] Ron suggests assessing what you're already good at and how to use those skills to do something you're passionate about.
"Let your heart talk to you about your dreams instead of your head talking to you about your limitations."
[14:55] Debb talks about past jobs that she felt really passionate about and what specifically she loved about them.
[16:15] Ron suggests that we are attracted to things that align with our purpose. This is why it's so important to explore your passions and not allow your head to dismiss your dreams.
[17:05] Janelle asks if Debb's lack of fulfillment is related to a job or does it go deeper than that.
[18:53] Ron talks about Flow Theory, being in the zone. This is when you reach the intersection of your abilities and the difficulty of the task.
[20:00] Debb talks about losing all sense of time and space in her garden, but otherwise, she feels discouraged that she doesn't have a "thing" that she can get totally consumed by.
[21:35] Ron talks about the creative and visionary process that is so important for realizing and following your dreams.
"Your mind doesn't think in words, it thinks in pictures."
[21:52] Ron talks about the power of vision boards to lay out the specifics of your dreams. If you can't visualize it, you won't take action. The creative process: You see something that you want to create and are in the process of creating it. If you can't see it, it's not likely to happen.
"When you dream it, even if it seems impossible, things start to happen to bring the dream to fruition."
[25:50] Just as important as what you want to see is what you're currently seeing. Are you seeing yourself complacent? Whatever you're visualizing is what you'll continue to create. Change the picture!
[26:50] Janelle asks Debb what she's hoping to accomplish in order to feel enough. Debb talks about wanting to change the world in a noticeable way.
[29:05] Janelle talks about the difference between measurable and tangible things we can present to the world as our contribution versus the gift of our presence. We don't always know our impact, and maybe we aren't supposed to. Janelle talks about the presence Debb brings into everything she does: Debb shows up as Debb, and that is her purpose.
[31:30] Janelle asks Ron if finding purpose in multiple things is possible rather than in just one thing you do well. Ron talks about being a human doing for most of his life, showing measurable proof of progress, which is all related to ego.
[34:10] Ron talks about the shift in thinking required to go from doing to being.
[35:00] Janelle talks about the radiance of Debb's personality because of her intense presence and how that impacts and inspires people in ways she may never know.
"People will forget what you say, they'll forget what you do, but they'll never forget how you made them feel."
[36:55] Debb talks about how much she enjoys brightening people's day and how she intentionally works towards that.
[37:55] Janelle asks Debb to try a little experiment: preparing the gift of herself as she gets ready for work.
"You, Debb, the human being, are the gift."
[39:06] Debb talks about having a purpose for the day instead of a legacy or something tangible.
[39:30] Ron emphasizes the importance of collecting the data when you do an experiment. What feels different? What's the impact?
"The doing is not what brings the fulfillment, it's the being that brings fulfillment."
[41:10] Debb talks about how she's feeling about the discussion.
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